Chessmen (32)

Roby

ca. 1929 · Porcelain, cardboard · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The set has been supposed to represent the Battle of Mansura in Egypt, which took place in 1249 during the Seventh Crusade, led by St. Louis (Louis IX, reigned 1226–70). In this battle Louis was defeated by Beibars the Mameluke, who later ruled Egypt and Syria. There is nothing to identify the set especially with this battle, and it must be considered as one of many examples with Crusaders versus Muslims as the subject.

Artist

Roby

Date

ca. 1929

Medium

Porcelain, cardboard

Culture

French, Paris

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948